Their Story
Remembering David L. Brodeur.
Air Force Major David L. Brodeur, formerly of Auburn, MA, died April 27, 2011, at Kabul Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was on deployment to Afghanistan from Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska. Major Brodeur had been assigned, while in Afghanistan, as an advisor to the Afghan Command and Control Center under the NATO Air Training Command.
Major Brodeur was educated in the Auburn public schools graduating with honors from Auburn High in 1994. While in high school he played soccer and was an accomplished track and field athlete who won Southern Worcester County League and District Class B individual championships. He served as Treasurer and President of the Student Council and was a member of the National Honor Society; represented Auburn High at the Annual Student Government Day Program sponsored by the Massachusetts State Legislature and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his service to Auburn High and the Town of Auburn.
Major Brodeur entered the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1995, He graduated in 1999 with a degree in Political Science. Major Brodeur earned a Master of Business Administration and Management from Touro University and had completed Air Command Staff College.
Major Brodeur graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB in Columbus, Mississippi in April 2001 and F-16 Fighter training from Luke AFB in Arizona. Major Brodeur was an experienced F-16 pilot with deployments to Iraq where he flew combat missions during the initial days and months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Among his commendations and awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Combat Action Medal.
Major Brodeur was an F-16 instructor, Flight Commander, and Weapons ADO for the 18th Aggressor Squadron. He was a Senior Pilot with more than 1600 flight hours in fighter aircraft.
Despite David’s passion for flying and pride for his country, his greatest love in life was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 11 years and proud father of Elizabeth and David. He was a loving son and brother who placed the needs of others and service to God and country before self. His all-too-short life was a life well-lived.